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𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏:
Choosing Ceremony

Peter Hayes was a dick from the first moment I saw him. Each faction was impatiently waiting, all but Abnegation, I suppose, outside the Choosing Ceremony's entrance. My faction has been taught to stand still, back straight, with a chin not too high, at all times. This time was like any other, despite a disturbance further up my line. A Candor boy was picking on an Abnegation, questioning what my faction has really been doing with the extra rations we're given for the factionless.

"You really expect me to believe you Stiffs don't take any off the top? That's bullshit," he remarked with a laugh. The poor Abnegation boy looked flustered, as if he was about to revert into his grey turtleneck. I had enough of listening to his annoying voice and the way it pitched up accusingly. I start forward but my brother, Caleb, holds me back with a hand on my shoulder. I shoot the Candor boy a glare, one he's too preoccupied to catch.

***

After waiting for what seemed like forever in the line outside the ceremony's auditorium, the doors were opened and I was funneled in with the rest of my faction. I take a seat next to my brother as the rest of the lines file in, the crowds clamoring with an anxious energy that sends adrenaline pumping through my veins. I glance around the room, admiring the way colored uniforms slowly sort into their sections. I understand that I should feel more nervous, especially given my inconclusive aptitude test result, but in the back of my mind I already know what I'm going to choose. Part of me recognizes that I knew before receiving my results and regardless of my brother's 'this is our choice' speech from the other night.

Marcus calls for the room's attention, silence quickly falling over the room as the last few take their seats.

"Greetings, everyone. Welcome to this year's Choosing Ceremony. On behalf of the other faction leaders, I'd like to say that it has been an honor to watch you all grow into the people you have become. Remember, this choice can only be made once, so choose wisely," He clears his throat and glances down at a clipboard, returning his gaze to the audience as he calls the first name.

My mind goes into autopilot until Caleb's name is called and he stands stoically. I shift to the side to allow him room to pass and glance up at him, a small smile playing on his lips as he makes his way to the front. He walks down the steps and approaches the bowls, taking in the view as Marcus hands him the knife. He glances from one bowl to another, slicing the palm of his hand as he decides. With a sudden gesture, he pushes his hand out towards the Erudite bowl and his blood drops into the water.

"Erudite!" Marcus exclaims and my eyes widen. A hushed gasp erupts from my faction and Marcus hands Caleb a bandaid, a look of disappointment obvious on his face. Caleb covers his wound and turns toward his new faction.

Before I can recover, my name is called as Marcus disinfects the knife. I rise to my feet, wobbling a little, and hurry down the steps. I approach the bowls: Dauntless, Abnegation, Erudite, Candor, and Amity. Each faction's bowl is filled with a different substance. I take the knife and reluctantly cut into my hand, wincing at the burn that spreads through it. I look briefly into Dauntless' bowl before turning to Abnegation's. This should be a no-brainer; my parents can't lose two children in one night, it would be truly selfish to choose anything but Abnegation—but I know myself.

I close my eyes and reach out, unsure which bowl my blood fell into until I hear sizzling coals and Marcus' voice ring out.

"Dauntless!" Fresh air fills my lungs as I breathe a sigh of relief, the Dauntless erupting into cheer as I'm given a bandaid and ushered towards my new faction.

***

As the last person makes their choice, several people around me rise from their seat and hurry towards the exit. I quickly catch on and hurry after the group, a tall brunette boy running beside me.

"What are they doing?" he calls out, barely audible over the others around me.

"I'm not sure!" I yell back, glancing to my side to look at him. He's a transfer, Erudite.

"Will," he remarks, answering my question before I have the chance to ask. I nod.

"Eyes forward, Will," I reply with a smirk.

A confused expression consumes his face as he turns his head to look in front of him and nearly runs into a railing.

"Oh, fuck!" he blurts out as he stumbles out of the way. I hold back a laugh, my cheeks puffing as a smile tugs at the corner of my lips. He turns to me, a surprised expression quickly replaced with a smile as he erupts into laughter. I let my teeth show in a wide smile as laugher bubbles in my stomach. I hold onto it as I laugh breathlessly, Will and I both struggling to keep pace with our new faction.

A few Dauntless at the front throw open the doors and I hurry out, taking in a breath of fresh air. Though, there's no time to relish it as they continue into the streets. I dart after them, my skirt starting to piss me off as I nearly trip over it.

"What the fuck..." Will mutters as a few Dauntless begin to climb the support beams of the train track.

I waste no time, hurrying over to one and reaching up as I find my footing. I climb it with difficulty, while Will makes it up in no time. He hurries over to me and reaches down for my hand as I slowly make my way to the top. I take his hand and throw my knee over, pulling myself up onto my feet. I dust myself off and before I know it, the Dauntless have taken off again. I glance the opposite way down the track and spot the train approaching.

"Will! They're jumping on the train!" I yell and his head whips up to follow my gaze.

"Quick, let's go then!" he calls out, turning to follow the front of the pack. I hurry after him, quickly catching up despite this damned skirt. The train passes by me in a flash, a loud whooshing sound filling my ears. I watch as the few at the front wait for an open car then jump in, most pulling themselves in by the door handles. Will makes his jump soon after a Candor girl and turns quickly to offer me a hand. I shake my head, assuring him I can do this. After a few steps, I jump for it, landing awkwardly on my stomach. After a second or two of struggling, I pull myself into the car and sigh heavily as I sit against the wall closest to the door, my heart beating loudly in my ears. I find myself sitting beside the Candor girl Will jumped in after.

"Christina," she remarks, looking at me with a sly smile. I nod, offering her a smile in return.

The train is full, bustling with movement. A few are sat by the walls but most are standing; some are peering out as the landscape passes us by. Christina and I made small talk as the train pumped along its tracks, my breathing reverting to normal after a minute or so.

"They're jumping!" a boy toward the front of the car shouted.

"What? They're jumping?" another boy beside me echoed.

"To where?" a girl asked.

Christina and I rise from our spots, peering out to watch the Dauntless-born jump across to a building's roof.

"We're seven stories up," I mutter as I look down, the ground appearing further away each second I stare.

"What happens if you don't jump?" a Candor boy asks.

"What do you think? You'll be factionless," a familiar voice replies with a scoff. I glance back into the car, recognizing that annoying Candor boy from earlier.

"Goodluck, Al," he remarks disingenuously as he steps forward and jumps to the roof with ease. I'm sure his height helps. For me and Christina, it won't be so easy. I look over to her.

"You ready?" she asks with a smirk, offering me her hand. Her expression fills me with determination. I take her hand and look out as the roof approaches.

"On three," she calls.

"One!" I brace myself.

"Two!" Adrenaline courses through my veins.

"Three!" Christina yells and we both sprint, our steps unsynchronized though we push off at the same time. A breath fills my lungs as I'm suspended in mid-air. The roof catches me abruptly and I drop Christina's hand as I reach out to catch myself, scuffing my knee as I land. I sit there a moment, unsure what to feel as my senses return. I look up at Christina and meet her gaze, silence falling between us before breathy laughter erupts from her. I follow suit, brushing myself off as a wide smile tugs at my lips.

"Alright, listen up!" a deep voice hollers from the other side of the roof. I turn to look and spot a tall blonde man in black, seemingly a Dauntless leader, perched on top of a ledge. I join Will in the crowd, Christina following behind me.

"This is the entrance to Dauntless HQ!" he starts, "If you're too scared to jump, you don't belong in Dauntless."

"Is there water at the bottom or something?" Will asks hesitantly.

"Maybe," he replies, "maybe not," a smirks plays on his face. The crowd, which was previously murmuring quietly, is now dead silent.

"Well, someone has to go first," he continues smugly as he drops down from the ledge. After a few seconds I step forward.

"I'll go," I state. I've never really been bothered by heights and I wasn't too convinced they planned on killing their initiates the moment they stepped into Dauntless Headquarters. Well, fell into, I suppose. I step up to the ledge and peer over at the seven story drop in front of me. No biggie. I slide my arm out of my suit jacket and let it fall to one side.

"Yeah, Stiff, take it off," a familiar voice cat calls sarcastically, earning a few laughs from the crowd behind me. I roll my eyes and slide my other arm out, dropping it to the floor. "—put it back on," he mumbles. I ignore his comment and throw my leg onto the ledge, pulling myself up onto my knees. I stand up slowly, balancing myself as I peer over the edge. I take a breath then jump without waiting another second.

I plummet seven stories down, my skirt engulfing me as a fall through the air. Before I know it, a thick net has caught me. After a small bounce, I settle in the net and climb onto my knees. A Dauntless leader pulls the side of the net down and lifts me under my arms with surprising ease. I'm not a small girl; I'm about 5'8 and a little over 200 pounds. His hands are big, his middle fingers reaching the side of my back; they're warm. He steadies me on the ground and I glance up, removing my arms from his once I'm standing.

"You have a name?" he asks.

I hate to be a cliché, but he was really pretty beautiful. He had tan skin and brown eyes, with hair to match.

"I-I uh—" I stutter like a fool.

"Is it a hard one?" he teases, impatience in his tone. "You can pick a new one if you want, but make it good," he continues, "you don't get to pick again." I think for a second before responding.

"Tris," I command.

"First jumper: Tris!" he yells and the room erupts into cheer, "Welcome to Dauntless," he remarks with a nod.